This site will support the exploration of digital portfolio platforms.


Definition of portfolio from Northwest Evaluation Association:

"A portfolio is a purposeful collection of student work that exhibits the student's efforts, progress, and achievements in one or more areas. The collection must include student participation in selecting content, the criteria for selection, the criteria for judging merit, and evidence of student self-reflection."

Guidance for Using Student Portfolios in Educator Evaluation - Missouri Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education:

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Portfolio-Handbook.pdf

4 Steps for Getting Started with Student Digital Portfolios from Emerging EdTech

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2014/02/4-steps-for-getting-started-with-student-digital-portfolios/

Step 1: Evaluate your Needs and Pick you Platform

The most important thing to do is to evaluate your needs before you go searching for a place to park your students’ precious work.
You’ll want to consider:
  • Ownership: Who can add or post things in the portfolio?
  • Sharing: Who gets to see it? This is very important if you want your students to be able to direct potential employers there.
  • Other devices: Will it work with the educational technology you already use?
  • Cost: Some sites will require you to purchase additional space to upload audio, video, or any large files.
  • User friendliness: If you don’t like it and they don’t like it, it won’t work.

Step 2: Have a Portfolio Population Plan

How you set up your portfolios is up to you — having a plan is what will make it happen. Next, create goals for your portfolios — both individual and class goals. Without goals and structure, portfolios become a hodgepodge of artifacts and assessment is much more challenging. If you are really serious about seeing your students make the most of this, build it into their assessment.

Step 3: Turn Over The Keys

Not every teacher will be inclined to cede control of student portfolios, and it may not make sense for every class or every kid. However, if you can, you should.
Portfolios teach students to evaluate and compare their own work, as well as how to compellingly present it. These are important skills that may come in handy sooner than you think. Some colleges and universities have begun to take more innovative approach to applications. Veering away from test scores, colleges are taking a more holistic view of the student. MIT, for example, already encourages prospective “artists, makers and musicians” to submit portfolios that showcase their talents and interests.

Pinterest links to articles and videos:
https://www.pinterest.com/karterbury/digital-portfolios/

Edutopia Article: 11 Essentials for Excellent Portfolios
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/11-essentials-for-excellent-eportfolios-vicki-davis